Questions Buying 73 Cruiser

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

ok guys, here are some pics and info on the cruiser am looking at. please post any comments or suggestions:

Make: Toyota
Model: Landcruiser
Badge: Other
Year: 1985
Body: 4WD
Price: $8,000
Color: Red
Kms: 198,000
Transmission: Manual
Reg NO: CF1991
VIN: 0731329

Features:
Power Steering, Towbar, CD Player, Central Locking Remote,
Roadworthy certificate

Comments:
MWB, BJ73 (Diesel), Bullbar, Driving lights, Fog lights,CD
Stacker

from the seller:
I bought the car in May 2000 since then I have done:

New clutch master cylinder
All axle bearings and seals replaced
New tyres 20,000 km ago
New front brake rotors
Drum machining and pad replacement as necessary
New voltage regulator
New battery
New fuel pump, injectors and glow plugs 18 months ago, good for at least 100,000 km
New poly bushes in leaf springs
New CD player with six stacker under back seat
Remote central locking
Cibie driving lights, Hella non sealed beam conversion, and Narva fog lights
I have also been treating her to Penrite HPR Diesel oil every 10,000 km's or six months

She has only done about 28,000 km's since I bought her. For work I need to have her road-worthy'd every two years. So aside from me keeping her fluids changed and checked, that has been her servicing. Aside from that anything that has needed doing as it came up. Not a lot really, tyres, and injector and pump spring to mind.

Very few of the km's have been off road. We worked in Alice Springs and Eastern Victoria for about 6 months and did a little bit of track driving, very little requiring 4WD. A lot of her driving has been up to the Ski fields, most of which is sealed now.

All the photos I have on the computer at the moment are the ones already in the ad. I can take some more if you need anything specific.

Mechanically she is great, everything works as it should, the paint job is not the best I have seen, but not bad enough to warrant me respraying her, just a few chips and things. She is totally rust free, never done any salt water driving.

The is a short list of minor probs that I never got around to attending to:

The Tachometer is temperamental
The fuel and temp gauge has an interesting little fault, occasionally both needles go off the scale

Both these faults I can attribute to the instrument cluster, and since it is all one piece, odo and speedo included, I have not replaced it.

One of the rims is a different style to the other three, only slightly, and it was a few months after I bought it that I noticed this, that is how similar they are.
The cable that switches from fresh air to recirculated has broken at the lever.
I am not selling her with air-con because she does not have it. But all the hardware is under the bonnet, it has just never worked. I do not like air-con so I never bothered to get it seen too.

I use to work out and about in places where she was necessary, but am now based in Melbourne, and live within a train ride of work.

She is riding on 31 X 10.5 X 15 's Yokohama Super Diggers to be precise, just on $900 worth in January last year.

There is an LX badge on the back, I can tell you that, but I think the previous owner changed a few things cosmetically. I can tell you the car is carpeted throughout, the seats are the later fabric suspension type. It does not have electric windows. There are no headrests on the back seat. She is leaf sprung all round. She has had a later model transfer case installed too, the floor shift shifts from high range to low range, and there is a button on the dash to shift pneumatically between H2 and H4, manual hub locks of course.

Yes it is a normally aspirated 3B, a 3.4 litre 4 cylinder, that's some big pistons! It will climb trees, but will not win any drag races.

sorry it it so long Embarassed

, thought easier put all this in one spot.

Cheers

Lance

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

have shots of underneath and interior, how do link pics larger than allowed? put on some website?

help please

Joined: 06 Jul 2003 Location: perth west australia

Sounds like the go Bluey.Generally any seller who puts his name to a long list like that is being honest in my books .I think youll get a long run out of it. Of course the addition of a turbo will be mandatory in the longer term.The price seems reasonable if its been maintained as he says.
Im slowly coming around to the opinion that the 73/74s are the best allround landcruisers ever made.
My 1HZ diesel conversion has got a second wind with someone offering to buy a low klm 78/79 write off at an auction and sell me the motor/g/box and t/case.Ive put a 6 month time frame on it.

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

roscoFJ73 wrote:

My 1HZ diesel conversion has got a second wind with someone offering to buy a low klm 78/79 write off at an auction and sell me the motor/g/box and t/case.Ive put a 6 month time frame on it.

excellent, glad it (maybe at least) working out for you in getting a big diesel in.

the 4b im looking at i had checked over by racv. worth every cent. the guy does sound genuine, just gotta see how far i can knock him down by!
main points from racv:
1. engine mounts both side either missing bolts or incorrectly mounted. now this could be piddly stuff or something major
2. noises in engine valve mechanism, various, adjust. will check out, mite just be small deal, it is almost 20 y.old now
3. slight trace blue smoke evident on acceleration. will check
4. ineffective operation of air con. not big issue for me, would like to have but not concerned at this stage. use to knock price down
5. clutch shudder evident. check
6. both drive shaft slip joints worn. check, if badly worn then what 250 for front, how much for rear? knock price down
7. free play evident in steering box. check, mite just be small amount is old rig.

so they are main ones, the guy apparantly gets mechanic to service it, not backyard. none above picked up before, so poissibly small things racv really pedantic.

i've not owned cruiser or diesel before, so post any comments much appreciative of any advice.

am trying to register for some website to show other pics

Cheers
Lance

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

woohoo

ok, pics are now on msn, just follow the link

http://groups.msn.com/4WDs4WDingRecreational/blueyscruiser.msnw?Page=Last

btw, what does maller mean? Embarassed

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 7:27 pm

roscoFJ73 wrote:

Sounds like the go Bluey.Generally any seller who puts his name to a long list like that is being honest in my books .I think youll get a long run out of it. Of course the addition of a turbo will be mandatory in the longer term.The price seems reasonable if its been maintained as he says.
Im slowly coming around to the opinion that the 73/74s are the best allround landcruisers ever made.
My 1HZ diesel conversion has got a second wind with someone offering to buy a low klm 78/79 write off at an auction and sell me the motor/g/box and t/case.Ive put a 6 month time frame on it.

ROSCO a 3B with an after market turbo will produce more torque and better fuel economy then an 1HZ donk........ plus as ive been thinkin bout doin the same swap as you i have found out that most 1HZ dont go for anything less then $5000

Joined: 06 Jul 2003 Location: perth west australia

JAKE Took a 13BT in a 74 for test drive recently ,wasnt bad but I still think the 1HZ will be better on the highway and under load .I also wanted to keep it uncomplicated. As for the price there seems to be an abundance of 1hz at the moment with 2nd hand prices dropping .Ballarat Toyota are selling brand new complete units with pump /injectors for $6900 with 12 months and unlim klm.The average price for one in Perth with under 100000 klm is $3000-$3500 with 6 months. Could have had one with a genuine 200000 klm for $1800 off someone doing a 6.2 chev conversion. They are also going for $5000 fully recon exchange.

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:28 pm

a 13BT is totally different to a 3b with an aftermarket turbo...... have TEST DRIVEN BOTH AND THERES A BIG BLOODY DIFFERENCE Very Happy

Joined: 12 Dec 2002 Location: Jimboomba, Qld

thats a nice car Cool

, thats the car im hoping to get for my first, depends if money will allow it Rolling Eyes

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:33 pm

Aza wrote:

thats a nice car Cool

, thats the car im hoping to get for my first, depends if money will allow it Rolling Eyes

YEAH SO YOU BEEN TELLIN US TIME..N..TIME..N..TIME..N..TIME...AND TIME AGAIN Very Happy

Joined: 12 Dec 2002 Location: Jimboomba, Qld

JAKE wrote:

Aza wrote:

thats a nice car Cool

, thats the car im hoping to get for my first, depends if money will allow it Rolling Eyes

YEAH SO YOU BEEN TELLIN US TIME..N..TIME..N..TIME..N..TIME...AND TIME AGAIN Very Happy

6 months man 6 months Laughing

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:36 pm

yeah yeah GONNA GONNA LMAO

Joined: 06 Jul 2003 Location: perth west australia

Bluey beware that blue smoke .One problem underpowered diesels have is everyone tries to push them faster than they should resulting in worn rings/valve gear.Although at under 200k it is still young
The steering has some adjustment at the box if it hasnt all been used up which will require rebuild. max $700 if new shaft req
Clutch kit is worth $300 + $300 lab
My air con cost $700 to reinstall by some guy who couldnt speak english otherwise it could cost more.
Engine mounts are a mystery,probably replaced by owner who couldnt get the bolts back in due to inexperience.
Did someone check the output flanges on the t/case ?Possibly why it has a non original t/case
Sorry Bluey not trying to put you off but it is better to go in eyes wide open while your money is still in YOUR pocket.I was under the impression you had already checked it out.

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

JAKE wrote:

a 13BT is totally different to a 3b with an aftermarket turbo...... have TEST DRIVEN BOTH AND THERES A BIG BLOODY DIFFERENCE Very Happy

hey Jake, i got the impression that a 13bt was just turbo wacked on? but then should be called 3bt right

anyway Aza, didn't you want to chop a 73 into ute (ie not just take roof off, but cut sides and put on rear windscreen behind front seats) ??? just buy my hilux, already ute. its smick buddy Cool

Joined: 12 Dec 2002 Location: Jimboomba, Qld

Bluey wrote:

JAKE wrote:

a 13BT is totally different to a 3b with an aftermarket turbo...... have TEST DRIVEN BOTH AND THERES A BIG BLOODY DIFFERENCE Very Happy

hey Jake, i got the impression that a 13bt was just turbo wacked on? but then should be called 3bt right

anyway Aza, didn't you want to chop a 73 into ute (ie not just take roof off, but cut sides and put on rear windscreen behind front seats) ??? just buy my hilux, already ute. its smick buddy Cool

nuah not the sides. i want it to be like a ute but still have rear seats (cuase im still only a teenager and want to be able to go places with friends Very Happy

) so its bj73 mwb, or if not a ute with style sides cut down Razz

(or just no style side and have a tray, not sure), well see armsup

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

roscoFJ73 wrote:

Bluey beware that blue smoke .One problem underpowered diesels have is everyone tries to push them faster than they should resulting in worn rings/valve gear.Although at under 200k it is still young

yeah, will have to be careful here.

Quote:

The steering has some adjustment at the box if it hasnt all been used up which will require rebuild. max $700 if new shaft req
Clutch kit is worth $300 + $300 lab
My air con cost $700 to reinstall by some guy who couldnt speak english otherwise it could cost more.

thanks for that, will go to him quoting these figures, find out what he says

Quote:

Engine mounts are a mystery,probably replaced by owner who couldnt get the bolts back in due to inexperience.
Did someone check the output flanges on the t/case ?Possibly why it has a non original t/case

not too sure about mounts yet, will check very carefully i think. the trf case was changed by previous owner, think it might be 60 series. for anyone who didn't notice (i should have said Embarassed

) lever changes high range to low range, and there is a button on the dash to shift pneumatically between H2 and H4.

Quote:

Sorry Bluey not trying to put you off but it is better to go in eyes wide open while your money is still in YOUR pocket.I was under the impression you had already checked it out.

shit, don't be sorry. i want to here other peoples views, that's why posted stats and pics. keep em coming in, i'd also like to make sure i get best deal if possible, on this rig or another. as for checking it out, haven't been able, its in melb and im in tassie. thats why paid for comprehensive check by racv. am going over sat 29/nov to do final check/look over

Thanks for the info Rosco

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2003 9:57 am

Aza - I will be getting my car back from the panel beaters this week, hopefully. It has copped a soft top conversion, the roof will never go back on... Cool

Bluey - Go the Turbo Diesel if you dont want big street performance, hell of a lot of torque, liked he ones I drove when i was looking, but I like an engine that revs, not one that red lines on about 3500rpm...

Gotta love a middie, engine conversion i will be looking into more is the 100 series V8 with an auo box...

More plans, less money...

Meldge

Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Location: Geelong Vic

my t/case is the same it has the button to shift to 4wd drive and the lever to select h4 or l4.mines a 85 lx middy and my brother has 89 62 series which has teh same t/case

Joined: 06 Jul 2003 Location: perth west australia

Bluey there is nothing wrong with a t/case upgrade,I got the push button set upmyself.I was wondering why they did such an expensive upgrade for so little benefit though,for the cost I would have stayed with the old set up.Maybe the old t/case had a bearing on the output get sloppy and destroy the gearset in t/case,it happens so check this one as well.I dont think it makes a noise,just a small drip of oil.

AZA dont lose sight of your dreams ,
youll get there one day mate and you too will have the best 4x4 in the world. (73/74)
armsup

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Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

thanks for all the info guys, its really helpful.

can anyone tell me anymore about the 74 series. is the only difference they use 13bt donk? is this donk heaps better/on par/whatever with 3b?
i do realise it is turbo'd, but what else?

might be checking out 74 series $8500, comapared to $8000 for 73 series. only problem don't any real details, pics, k's, not mechanical check. what do people think???

Cheers
Lance

Joined: 30 Oct 2002 Location: Brisbane

talking of bj74s..
anyone seen one in brissy or near by?

Under 10-12grand I want to pay..

Has to be tidy Smile

Its going to be a work car/family car..

needs to be auto so the old lady can drive it.. i cant for the life of me teach her to drive a manual

Matt

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

check 4x4 trader or similar or trading post (tarding post is online too). saw a few 4x4 tader,in qld when flicking through, sorry not sure area or auto ???

Lance

Joined: 06 Jul 2003 Location: perth west australia

Mlowe Newstyle Autos in brissy have got 6x man/auto Japanese imports for sale in 4x4 Trader.Dunno what they are like.They want about 14k but they only paid about 7-8k for them so there is a bit of room to manourvre. Give them a ring 32525432

Joined: 06 Aug 2003 Location: Perth, WA

Even though they would have paid 7-8k for them, they still wont see any room to manouvre. When I was looking for an LJ71, I found one advertised for $9999, went to the yard and the shark told me he couldnt sell it for any cheaper as it cost him $9500 to import. I knew he was lying though as I was currently importing one. Mine ended being a tad over $7000, and was better than the one in the yard.

Joined: 26 Jun 2003

Aza wrote:

JAKE wrote:

Aza wrote:

thats a nice car Cool

, thats the car im hoping to get for my first, depends if money will allow it Rolling Eyes

YEAH SO YOU BEEN TELLIN US TIME..N..TIME..N..TIME..N..TIME...AND TIME AGAIN Very Happy

6 months man 6 months Laughing

Azza, your all talk...!!!

Joined: 26 Jun 2003

Skip wrote:

Even though they would have paid 7-8k for them, they still wont see any room to manouvre. When I was looking for an LJ71, I found one advertised for $9999, went to the yard and the shark told me he couldnt sell it for any cheaper as it cost him $9500 to import. I knew he was lying though as I was currently importing one. Mine ended being a tad over $7000, and was better than the one in the yard.

You got any pics of yours skip?

What year model did it end up being?

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

ok, so went over to sunny melbourne (first time in years in hasnt rained when ive gone over). checked it all out, seemed all quite good and test drive good. bought it and now i have the best 4wd Very Happy

woo hoo

Joined: 06 Jul 2003 Location: perth west australia

congratulations welcome to the club armsup

Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: Launceston

thanks rosco, i think i'll like being in this club Twisted Evil

yet to go offroad in it yet, got to swap tyres, spring lift, winch bar, miscellaneous electrical work first. expect it to b awesome. hey aza, definately keep that dream, you'll love it when you finally get your middy